The Turnpike Elementary School in Mildred has faced closing its doors before and has survived. The Sullivan County school board will decide at a meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday if the Turnpike school stays open or will close.
More than 130 children go to the kindergarten through sixth grade school. If school board members vote to close the Blue Ribbon Award Winning school, board members Molly Kinsey and her mother, Virginia Miller, said those children will suffer.
"A plan to consolidate of course would make larger class sizes. I just don't think they'll get the individual teaching from the teachers and staff they do now," claimed Kinsey.
Just last year, a close vote kept the school open. Since then, a new superintendent has come to the district who points to a drastic drop in student enrollment over the last several years as a reason to consolidate and save money.
"Many experts I've talked to suggest a small building project adding classrooms to the Laporte Campus would be financially prudent," said Superintendent Steve Gobble.
Board members Molly Kinsey and her mother plan to vote against closing the school saying it would lead to more taxes.
Across the district, opinions of the school controversy are mixed.
"There's just not that many children in the schools anymore, then you need to close the schools up, and do what you need to do," said Leanne Taylor of Dushore.
"It's been there for a long time. And the kids like it who go there," said Letitia Magann of Forksville.
School board members voted five to four to keep the Turnpike Elementary School open last year.
If approved, the Turnpike School would not close until after the 2010-2011 school year.
More than 130 children go to the kindergarten through sixth grade school. If school board members vote to close the Blue Ribbon Award Winning school, board members Molly Kinsey and her mother, Virginia Miller, said those children will suffer.
"A plan to consolidate of course would make larger class sizes. I just don't think they'll get the individual teaching from the teachers and staff they do now," claimed Kinsey.
Just last year, a close vote kept the school open. Since then, a new superintendent has come to the district who points to a drastic drop in student enrollment over the last several years as a reason to consolidate and save money.
"Many experts I've talked to suggest a small building project adding classrooms to the Laporte Campus would be financially prudent," said Superintendent Steve Gobble.
Board members Molly Kinsey and her mother plan to vote against closing the school saying it would lead to more taxes.
Across the district, opinions of the school controversy are mixed.
"There's just not that many children in the schools anymore, then you need to close the schools up, and do what you need to do," said Leanne Taylor of Dushore.
"It's been there for a long time. And the kids like it who go there," said Letitia Magann of Forksville.
School board members voted five to four to keep the Turnpike Elementary School open last year.
If approved, the Turnpike School would not close until after the 2010-2011 school year.
